But after it became clear that no matter had Blues won they would be relegated, it turned sour.

With Blues leading Blackburn Rovers 2-1, but Reading and then Fulham both ahead, songs were aimed at the the board.

'The board must go', 'sack the board' and 'where's the money gone?' were all heard reverberating around the ground.

At the final whistle, dejected Blues players were given a standing ovation and were about to embark on a 'lap of appreciation'.

Liam Ridgewell urged his team mates to walk towards the Tilton Road End to applaud Blues fans for their support.

But as they began to make their way across the pitch, a couple of fans ran on and that encouraged a full-blown invasion.

After congregating in front of the Kop stand to register more unhappiness with the present regime before dispersing, dozens swung on the crossbar and snapped the goalposts at the Tilton Road End.

It was a sorry end to a sorry campaign, and it undid the quite raucous backing Blues received throughout the match.

The inspired decision to dish out 20,000 clapperboards to fans ratcheted up the noise decibels and McLeish said: "The fans have sweated in their support for me this season and I've not properly acknowledged it because I've been concentrating on the games so I don't hear the shouts that go on around the ground.

"I know we had fantastic backing yesterday and the players appreciated it. They gave the players some great energy with their cheering and support."